After the New Year’s Eve Tragedy: Her Icy Return
Chapter 66 Fortune Financing
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Finished
Before Liam had a chance to reply, Helen’s voice dropped to a near whisper as she leaned in so close that her lips almost touched his ear. “Why not let Aunt Caroline help with the loan? She’s just delivering takeout, so it wouldn’t put any pressure on her.”
She spoke so softly that Caroline, sitting nearby, couldn’t hear a word.
Caroline, however, couldn’t help but smirk to herself.
What lousy plan is she cooking this time, that she has to make sure I can’t overhear?
In the next moment, Liam turned to Caroline, his expression softening. “Caroline, can you-”
Before he could finish, Helen interrupted. “Aunt Caroline, do you have time today?”
She nudged Liam with her elbow, signaling him to keep quiet.
Caroline caught the motion instantly, sensing something was off.
Though suspicious, Caroline decided to play along. “What’s up?”
Helen gave a bright smile, her voice cheerful. “Uncle Liam’s feeling a little down, so I thought we could take him out and cheer him up. It’s been a while since we went shopping, hasn’t it?”
Just moments ago, she was crying, but now she’s acting as if her mood had flipped entirely.
How could someone change so quickly? She should really try acting.
Caroline’s mind wandered back to her past life when the factory was on the verge of collapse. Liam had come to her back then, asking for her to secure a loan.
Afterward, she found out it had all been Helen’s idea..
But this time was different–she had made sure things wouldn’t turn out like that again. The factory was bound to fail sooner than last time.
From what she had overheard, Caroline began to suspect the loan might be happening sooner than she expected.
It seemed like Helen was planning to trick her into signing for a loan from a small, shady company.
Of course, that was just her guess–she’d wait to see if she was right.
She had to play along. “Sure, where are we going?”
Helen’s face lit up. “Let’s stay close, maybe just check out the shopping street around here.” She turned to Liam with a playful look. “What do you think, Uncle Liam?”
The shopping street wasn’t the real goal. The actual plan was that the loan company Helen knew, run by a friend of a relative, just so happened to be located on that street.
Liam picked up on the hint in Helen’s eyes, understanding immediately. He nodded. “Alright, let’s go.
check it out.”
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Chapter 66 Fortune Financing
Just then, Wren entered with a tray of breakfast, ready to serve.
Finished
Caroline, already full from toast she’d eaten earlier, stood up. “You guys enjoy breakfast. I’ll go change.”
As she disappeared into her room, Liam finally asked the question that had been nagging at him. “What are you trying to do? Why keep the loan from her?”
If we need Caroline to help with the loan, why not be upfront about it? Why hide it from her?
We’re a family after all. I’m sure Caroline will help out if the company’s going through a rough patch.
Helen answered smoothly. “Don’t forget, she’s not the same Caroline who listens to you and does whatever you say. She doesn’t even treats you like a brother anymore. Do you really think she’d be willing to help with the loan?”
Liam frowned, trying to piece it together. After a few moments, he muttered, “So, you want me to hide it from her, trick her into signing the loan without her knowing?”
Although the money situation is getting desperate, I don’t feel comfortable doing this.
Helen smiled, sensing his hesitation. “Don’t worry. It’s just temporary. Once the factory’s back on its feet, we’ll pay it all back.”
Liam had wanted to refuse outright, but her reasoning made a certain kind of sense.
The money will be repaid quickly enough. What harm can it do if Caroline helps? And if she’d agree willingly, there’d be no need for any deception.
Once he convinced himself, his worries eased, and he felt more comfortable with the idea.
After breakfast, the three of them headed to the shopping street near the Waterford Gardens neighborhood.
Helen led the way, making a beeline for a jewelry and gold shop, trying on pieces and encouraging Caroline to do the same.
She seemed to be having a good time, as though it were just a casual day out shopping.
But Caroline saw right through it.
This wasn’t about shopping–it was all part of Helen’s plan to lower her guard and manipulate her into signing the loan.
If she wants to play games, I’m ready to play along.
She tried on jewelry with her, walking through the shops, pretending to enjoy herself.
After what felt like an eternity, Helen finally stopped in front of a storefront with the sign “Fortune Financing” hanging above it.
Caroline glanced at the sign, her lips curling into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
This was the same place she had borrowed money from in her past life.
The small shop was nothing more than a front for a loan shark.
